ALLEN PARK -- LaAdrian Waddle was passed up 254 times in last year's draft, and was happy just to land a spot in the Detroit Lions' rookie minicamp. He signed with the team simply hoping to make the practice squad.

A year later, those expectations have shifted dramatically. Now the man is eying a full-time starting job at right tackle.

And the thing is, he just might be the leader for it.

"Let's hope so," Waddle said Monday as he cleared out his locker for the offseason.

LaAdrian Waddle was a surprise for the Lions this year, and he hopes to take it to the next level in 2014.Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Waddle started eight consecutive games -- not bad for a guy just hoping to make a practice squad -- before sitting the season finale due to a left ankle injury. The rookie still is wearing the boot and has some pain, but believes surgery will not be required.

He intends to stick around Allen Park for the next few weeks to seek treatment before heading home to Texas for the offseason. He expects to be fully healthy by the time Detroit reconvenes for OTAs.

"I'm in no rush to leave until I get out of this boot," he said. "It's just a little sprain. Nothing too serious, but still in the boot. Still having some pain when I walk, but it's nothing too bad."

The injury was the only blip in an otherwise big year for Waddle.

The hulking 6-foot-6, 321-pounder never spent a day on the practice squad. He was among the final players to make the 53-man roster, and then rose into the starting lineup for a Week 8 game against Dallas after tackles Jason Fox and Corey Hilliard contracted injuries.

He didn't just play. He dominated.

Waddle, who hails from Columbus, Texas, and played his college ball at Texas Tech, allowed only one QB hit, three hurries and no sacks against the home-state Cowboys.

In a season that featured an array of highs, he considers that game the summit of his rookie year.

"Everyone back home was watching," Waddle said. "All my family and friends were like, 'Oh, hey, look at this guy.' My phone was blowing up."

Waddle now is gearing up for 2014, when he hopes to re-earn his starting job at right tackle. Fox is an unrestricted free agent and Detroit could let him walk, while Hilliard has one more year left on his deal.

Much is uncertain because of Jim Schwartz's firing, but it's hard to believe Waddle, at his rate of development, won't be part of the mix.

"I came a long ways, from just trying to make the team, to making it, to eventually starting," Waddle said. "It's been a long journey, it's exciting, and I'm just trying to make the most of my opportunities.